Smy Tennis News|Andre Agassi Says Pickleball Deepened His Bond with Steffi Graf

Andre Agassi shared that playing pickleball has brought him and his wife Steffi Graf closer together. As global ambassadors for the sport, the couple recently toured Asia and now lead promotional efforts in the U.S. during National Pickleball Month.

Andre Agassi Says Pickleball Deepened His Bond with Steffi Graf

Tennis greats Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have embraced pickleball not just as a sport, but as a new chapter in their personal and professional journey together.

Agassi recently opened up about how pickleball, now the fastest-growing sport in the world, has helped him and Graf reconnect in a meaningful way. Married since October 22, 2001, the couple now finds themselves at the heart of a sport that is sweeping across the globe.

“Pickleball has filled a huge gap in our lives,” Agassi said, explaining how the sport has given both him and Graf a fresh, shared experience. “It’s a bonding opportunity that brings us together in ways we hadn’t expected.”

Combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, pickleball has seen rapid growth in recent years, particularly in the United States. Once thought to be a sport primarily for older players, its appeal has expanded dramatically to include athletes of all ages.

“I feel like I can still get better at something, which is really cool,” Agassi added. “To do it with her just makes it more special.”

Late last month, Agassi and Graf traveled to Vietnam and China as part of the JOOLA Pickleball Legends Tour’s Asia campaign, promoting the sport internationally. Back in the U.S., Agassi is leading efforts to celebrate National Pickleball Month this April.

As Chair of the Life Time Racquet Sports Board, Agassi participated in “Agassi Open Play Day” on April 12, where thousands of fans played across Life Time clubs nationwide. The event, held at Life Time Green Valley in Las Vegas, even saw their son, Jaden Agassi—an accomplished baseball pitcher at USC—join in on the fun.

“It’s been growing like an anomaly here in America,” said Agassi. “I don’t know of any sport that has ever covered this kind of territory in such a short period of time.”

Agassi has previously voiced his support for including pickleball in the Olympics, citing its accessibility, affordability, and appeal across all demographics as major factors behind its global rise.

As part of the National Pickleball Month festivities, Agassi also hit the court with rising 11-year-old junior player Jack Loughridge and pickleball pro Ryan Sherry, showcasing the sport’s wide reach and intergenerational popularity.

With both Agassi and Graf continuing to advocate for the sport, their shared love of pickleball has evolved into a powerful personal and public mission—one that connects generations, communities, and even deepens the bond of two legends who once ruled the tennis world.